Bonifacio High Street in Taguig is dog heaven for pet lovers

Posted at 7:39 pm September 12, 2011

Tags: Games and Hobbies, Pets

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By Anna Valmero

TAGUIG CITY, METRO MANILA – If you are looking for a good place to exercise your dogs, try visiting Bonifacio High Street, well regarded as one of the best famous dog parks in the metro.

Residents within the nearby Makati area and those living in Bonifacio Global City usually take their pet dogs to the park on weekends, or even after a day’s work, for a walk.

On any given weekend, you can see dogs of different breeds and sizes parading around the pathways and grass patches with their owners.

The park becomes an instant venue for a dog show especially during weekends. Some owners oblige onlookers to take photos of their pets; some owners literally dress their pets, even pink tutus.

Dog breeder Perry Punla, a frequent visitor to Bonifacio High Street, says the place is ideal for walking dogs because it has wide paved walkways and grass patches for dogs to play around.

Perry says he makes it a point to “socialize” his dog Coco, a four-month-old Alaskan Malamute, with other dogs because this makes pet dogs healthy.

Dogs, he says, are considered puppies for up to a year-old and during this time, they are very active and playful, sometimes requiring at least an hour of walking or running.

Moreover, he advises that the first few months in a puppy’s life is crucial in terms of teaching teach them how to behave when playing with other dogs or when going to parks where crowds of people are present.

Here are some guidelines when bringing your dog to the park:

1. As with other dog parks and public areas, make sure your pet is on a leash to maintain orderliness. Dogs sometimes get rough during play.

2. The dog park is not a place for exercising your dog fully. It is mainly for socialization. You can walk your dog for 15 to 30 minutes ideally before going to the park so he won’t get too excited when playing with other dogs.

2. Make sure your pet dog is vaccinated and administered with booster injections to avoid picking up viruses from other dogs.

4. When your dog sniffs another dog, ask the other owner if he or she is open to letting the dogs play. Most owners would oblige (unless their pet isn’t interested). Learn how to manage your dog during play and tug his leash when it gets rough.

5. When strangers approach your dog, especially children who are overly excited and with shrieking voices, tell them to calm down first before touching the dog. Most dogs do not want to be touched or patted on the head by a stranger especially when the human is too excited. Instead, let them touch the back of the dog.

6. Bring water for the dog when he gets thirsty after play or some kibble or biscuit to munch on. Also bring old newspapers and tissue to pick up dog poop.

7. Once in a while, let the dog rest on the grass.

Pet owners can also bring cameras to take snapshots. This would help monitor your pet’s growth.